Results 1,661-1,680 of 9,393 for speaker:Alex White

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: National Broadband Plan Implementation (20 Jan 2015)

Alex White: The National Broadband Plan aims to ensure that every citizen and business, regardless of location, has access to a high quality, high speed broadband service. This will be achieved through a combination of commercial investments and a State led intervention in areas where commercial services will not be provided. The commercial telecommunications sector is currently investing approximately...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: National Broadband Plan Implementation (20 Jan 2015)

Alex White: The National Broadband Plan (NBP) aims to ensure that every citizen and business, regardless of location, has access to a high quality, high speed broadband service. This will be achieved through a combination of commercial investments and a State led intervention in areas where commercial services will not be provided. The proposed State intervention under the National Broadband Plan aims...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: National Broadband Plan Implementation (20 Jan 2015)

Alex White: The National Broadband Plan aims to ensure that every citizen and business, regardless of location, has access to a high quality, high speed broadband service. This will be achieved through a combination of commercial investments and a State led intervention in areas where commercial services will not be provided. The commercial telecommunications sector is currently investing approximately...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Post Office Network (20 Jan 2015)

Alex White: Matters relating to the location of post offices, are an operational matter for the Board and management of An Post and one in which I have no statutory function. I have referred the matter to the company for direct reply to the Deputy.

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Public Service Obligation Levy Increase (20 Jan 2015)

Alex White: The Public Service Obligation (PSO) levy has been in place since 2001 and is the overall support mechanism for generation constructed for security of supply purposes, including peat generation, and for the development of renewable electricity. It is designed to compensate electricity suppliers for the additional costs they incur by purchasing electricity generated by these producers. The...

Topical Issue Debate: Energy Prices (15 Jan 2015)

Alex White: I again thank Deputy O'Mahony for raising the issue. He referred to his perspective as Chairman of the joint committee. He exercises his important role assiduously in this regard, as indeed in other areas within the remit of the committee. It is important - and perfectly natural and reasonable - that this issue should be debated publicly and in this House. The Deputy has fairly...

Topical Issue Debate: Energy Prices (15 Jan 2015)

Alex White: I thank Deputy O'Mahony for raising this issue. The Government is acutely aware of the financial challenges faced by families and businesses from high electricity prices. However, it is important to note - the Deputy has fairly acknowledged this although the consequences of it are a matter for debate - that the electricity and gas markets are commercial, liberalised and competitive and...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Television Licences Data (15 Jan 2015)

Alex White: €213.3 million was received in respect of television licence fee sales and ‘free’ licences issued by the Department of Social Protection. As the Deputy will be aware, An Post receives a portion of licence fee revenue to cover the cost of its activities as the Minister's issuing and collecting agent for TV licences. Under the provisions of the Broadcasting Act 2009,...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Broadband Service Provision (15 Jan 2015)

Alex White: The National Broadband Plan aims to ensure that every citizen and business, regardless of location, has access to a high quality, high speed broadband service. This will be achieved through a combination of commercial investments and a State led intervention in areas where commercial services will not be provided.The commercial telecommunications sector is currently investing approximately...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Wind Energy Generation (15 Jan 2015)

Alex White: I am advised that this matter relates to an incident at Tursillagh wind farm in Co. Kerry in which a blade became detached from a turbine. My officials have contacted the wind`farm operator who has advised that the incident is being investigated. The operator has sought a report from the turbine manufacturer and has agreed to keep my officials informed of developments. My Department has also...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Semi-State Bodies Remuneration (15 Jan 2015)

Alex White: All directions issued by the Government in relation to remuneration of CEOs in semi-State Companies have been brought to the attention of the relevant State Companies. While the information sought by the Deputy regarding payments made to CEOs in semi-State Companies under the aegis of my Department is an operational matter for each company, I will ask the bodies to provide this information...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: National Oil Reserves Agency (14 Jan 2015)

Alex White: The National Oil Reserves Agency’s (NORA) financial statements (2008-2013) are publicly available at NORA is audited annually by the C&AG. The NORA levy is payable on all disposals of oil, not just on petrol and diesel, with the exception of the specified exemptions. The NORA levy was increased from 1 cent to 2 cent per litre on 1 October 2009. In respect of the period...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Post Office Network (14 Jan 2015)

Alex White: It is Government policy that An Post should remain a strong and viable company, in a position to provide a high-quality postal service and maintain a nationwide customer-focused network of post offices in the community. Following a review under the auspices of the Cabinet Committee on Social Policy, a Post Office Network Business Development Group is being established to explore the...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Broadband Service Provision (14 Jan 2015)

Alex White: I propose to take Questions Nos. 946 and 947 together. The National Broadband Plan aims to ensure that every citizen and business, regardless of location, has access to a high quality, high speed broadband service. This will be achieved through a combination of commercial investments and a State led intervention in areas where commercial services will not be provided. The commercial...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Natural Gas Grid (14 Jan 2015)

Alex White: The development and expansion of the natural gas network is in the first instance a commercial matter for Gaslink, which is mandated under Section 8 of the Gas Act 1976, as amended, to develop and maintain a national system for the supply of natural gas that is both economical and efficient. The Commission for Energy Regulation (CER), is statutorily responsible for all aspects of the...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: National Postcode System Implementation (14 Jan 2015)

Alex White: My Department commenced a procurement process for a National Postcode System in 2011. An open and competitive procurement process was conducted in accordance with Department of Finance and EU procurement frameworks. A pre-qualification questionnaire was issued on on 17 January 2011. This invited interested parties to tender for the contract as a postcode management licence holder for a period...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Renewable Energy Generation (14 Jan 2015)

Alex White: The Renewable Energy Feed In Tariff (REFIT) schemes, administered by my Department, are the primary means through which renewable electricity is supported in Ireland. The REFIT schemes are funded through the Public Service Obligation. The Commission for Energy Regulation’s (CER) Decision Paper (CER/14/361) of July 2014 states that a total of 1,874 MW renewable generation capacity is...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Broadband Service Provision (14 Jan 2015)

Alex White: The National Broadband Plan aims to ensure that every citizen and business, regardless of location, has access to a high quality, high speed broadband service. This will be achieved through a combination of commercial investments and a State led intervention in areas where commercial services will not be provided. The commercial telecommunications sector is currently investing approximately...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Departmental Bodies Data (14 Jan 2015)

Alex White: The Government, on completion of a wide ranging review of State Bodies, published its decision on the rationalisation of such Bodies in November 2012. In relation to my Department, the Ordnance Survey of Ireland (OSI) will be merged with the Property Registration Authority and the Valuation Office which will, this year, see it transfer to the Department of Justice and Equality, who are...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Decentralisation Programme Data (14 Jan 2015)

Alex White: The following Divisions of my Department have decentralised wholly or in part to Cavan town: - Information Systems Division; - Corporate Services Division; - Corporate Support Division; - Finance and Corporate Affairs Division; - Inland Fisheries Division; - Internal Audit Unit. The cost figures sought by the Deputy for the period since 2007, the date of formation of the Department in...